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California · After a Crash

How to get your California crash report — and what to do next

Most people have never been in a crash before — nobody hands you a manual. Here's what matters in the first week, whether you call it a crash report, accident report, or police report. The big one? Getting that official report. That part, we do for you — free.

Get to safety & call 911

Done — the police responded and an officer took the details. That created your official crash report with the investigating agency.

Exchange info & take photos

Names, insurance, plates, photos of the vehicles and scene. Missed some of it in the moment? Don't worry — the official report has it.

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We handle this step — free

Get your official California police report

Takes 2 minutes — we do the rest, free.

CA – Standard (single page)

By submitting this form, you agree that CrashReportHQ and its participating attorneys may contact you by phone, email, or text message about locating your free report copy. Consent is not a condition of service. Reply STOP to end texts at any time. Msg & data rates may apply.

We are not affiliated with any government agency or law enforcement. We're a free report-retrieval service.

Notify your insurance

Report the crash promptly — most policies require it. You'll attach the crash report when it's ready; it's the document adjusters rely on most.

See a doctor, even if you feel fine

Some injuries show up days later. Getting checked protects your health — and documents everything while it's fresh.

Know your options before accepting a settlement

If you were injured and weren't at fault, it's worth understanding what your claim is actually worth before signing anything. When we deliver your report, you can ask us anything — no obligation.

Agency Directory

California agencies we retrieve from

Every crash report is filed by the investigating agency. Tell us where the crash happened and we handle the rest — including these departments and every smaller agency statewide.

Cities we serve include Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Riverside, Santa Ana — and everywhere else in California.

What to Expect

Timelines & what your report includes

After a crash, the investigating officer files an official report — most California agencies finalize it within several days to a couple of weeks, depending on the department and how complex the crash was. The report typically includes the parties and vehicles involved, insurance details exchanged at the scene, the officer's diagram and narrative of what happened, any citations issued, and statements from drivers and witnesses.

If you request it yourself, agencies typically charge a records fee and may require an in-person visit or a mailed form. Our team requests it for you through official channels — free, because the service is sponsored by local injury attorneys. If your report isn't ready yet, we keep checking and let you know the moment it's available.

Common Questions

California crash report FAQ

How do I get my California crash report for free?
Fill out the short request form or call us. Our team requests your official report from the investigating agency on your behalf and delivers it to you at no cost. The service is free because it's sponsored by local injury attorneys.
Is this the same as the official police report?
Yes — we retrieve the official report filed by the investigating agency (police department, sheriff, or highway patrol). "Crash report," "accident report," and "police report" all refer to the same document.
How long does it take to get a crash report in California?
Most agencies take several days to a couple of weeks to finalize a report after the crash. Once it's available, we can usually locate it quickly — and we'll keep checking for you if it isn't filed yet.
Who is allowed to request the report?
California releases collision reports to parties of interest — including their legal representatives (CHP 190 process) — that's how our team can request it for you.
Why is it free? What's the catch?
No catch — local injury attorneys sponsor the service, which is why it costs you nothing. If your crash involved injuries, you can also ask for a free consultation, but there's no obligation and we retrieve reports for everyone.
Is this a government website?
No. We are not affiliated with any government agency or law enforcement. We're a private, attorney-sponsored service that requests your report through official channels on your behalf.

Get your California report — free

No fees, no paperwork, no waiting on hold. Start now.